Jobs Paints Bright Picture

BRIEFCASE

October 3, 1997

Steve Jobs tried Thursday to regain the confidence of some of Apple Computer's key customers, who enthusiastically welcomed the co-founder back to the helm but weren't convinced that the company could regain lost ground. Jobs, who took charge of Apple after a managementshakeup in July, told a publishing conference that tighter focus, renewed enthusiasm, closer ties with partners and ''awesome'' new products will enable Apple to prosper once again. Jobs' talk came two weeks after he was appointed Apple's interim chief executive officer.